Methods of treating tumors susceptible to necrosis

Abstract

This invention provides for therapy of tumours susceptible to necrosis by a porphyrin when an appropriate porphyrin compound is administered to locate in the tumor followed by illumination with light of a wavelength absorbed by the compound, making use of meso-porphyrins of the formula: ##STR1## where n=1 to 3 and each substitutent R, the same or different and at the same or different position in its respective substituent phenyl ring or other aromatic group replacing that ring, is an hydroxy, amino or sulphydryl group, by association of said meso-porphyrins with a suitable pharmaceutical diluent or carrier.

We claim: 
     
       1. A method of treating tumors in man susceptible to necrosis by a porphyrin comprising: (a) administering to a person suffering from said tumor a pharmacologically acceptable and effective amount, within the range of 0.01 to 100 mg/kg body weight, of said porphyrin of the formula: ##STR14## where n=1 to 3 and each substituent R, which may be the same or different and at the same or different position in its respective substituent phenyl ring, is hydroxy, amino or sulphydryl, in a suitable pharmaceutical diluent or carrier, to locate in the tumor, followed by   (b) illuminating the tumor with light of a wavelength in the range of 600-700 nm which is absorbed by the porphyrin.   
     
     
       2. The method according to claim 1, where each substituent ##STR15## is o-hydroxyphenyl, m-hydroxyphenyl or p-hydroxyphenyl.